The Irish standard., 1887-07-09

pendent solely on the potato ZOE Jnelr
subsistence. When this crop failed the
problem of devising means to save the
people from starvation presented itself
with terrible urgency. Among other
expedients wholesale emigration was
resolved on, and the nobleman above
mentioned placed large sum Of money
at Mr.. rs command for the pur-
pose of helping all who were anxious to
leave for America. Thousands availed
themselves of this opportunity of escap-
ing from the stricken country. Aftera
time, however, when the most destitute
had been thus provided, the funds at
Mr.. rs disposal began to run low,
and he announced that, in all future
cases, he would require certain pro-
portion CT the sum needed for outfit and
passage money to be furnished by the
em;grants themselves. Hundreds still
pressed forward to accept of the terms;
and among them family one day pre-
sented itself who had made up the pro-
portion of money required, with the ex-
ception of one child's share. They en-
treated that this deficiency might be
overlooked, and that the whole family
might be sent out together. Mr.. T,
however, said that he could not relax
the requirement in their case without
injustice to hundreds of other families,
and that circumstances compelled him
to adhere inAexibly to the rule which
he had laid down. After much con-
su1tation the parents decided to accept
the terms offered, and consented to
leave one of their children-a little boy
of seven or eight years-behind in
charge of some neighbors. With heavy
hearts they set out on their journey to
the port from whence they were to take
ship, for, though hoping to be able be-
fore long to send back from America
sufficient money to bring the child out
after them, yet they felt that they were
leaving him now behind them in land
stricken with famine and pestilence,
and among neighbors overwhelmed
with their own wants and sufferings.
On arriving at the port they found that
heavy gale was blowing and were told
that the vessel would not sail on the
day fixed, and that, until her departure,
they would receive daily subsistence
money on presenting themselves at the
Emigration Office. Immediately the
thought came into their minds that, by
stinting themselves to the utmost, they
might, if the gale lasted, perhaps be
able to save out of their daily subsidy
the proportion required to be con-
tributed towards the little boys pas
sage. Thus putting themselves on
famine rations they allowed the balance
of their daily pittance to accumulate.
Day after day passed, and still the
storm ragged and the vessel delayed. At
last, to their extreme JOY the needed
sum was made up; but the gale by this
time had gone down, and it was an
nounced that the packet would sail on
the next day. Then arose the question
of transmitting the money, so that they
might be able to bring the child with
them in the vessel. Some one must
start once, and run across the noun
tain-some forty miles-t0 accomplish
their purpose, for there was no means
to pay fairs by rail or car. Neither
father nor mother could run the risk of
returning too late to take their passage
in the ship, and so leave their family of
little children to arrive in America
without them. Finally, they decided
that the eldest girl, some twelve years
old, should start at once across the
country with the money; and, supplying
her with nearly all their allow of
provisions for that day, they let her 60
with many tear and prayer and bless
ing. The next morning, Mr.. Twas
dressing, when his servant came to him
and said that poor little girl was ly-
ing on the steps of the hall door, almost
dead, and asked to see him Immediately.
Hurrying down he found the child, who
had faithfully performed her trust, ly-
ing on the door step, faint with ex-
haustion, her clothes 'drenched with
rain, her feet blistered and bleeding
from the journey. On seeing him. how
ever, her eyes lighted up, and the color
flushed her little pale worn cheek, and.
stretching out her thin hand with the
savings of the week in it, she said
"Oh, sir, here is the money. Will you
send my brother with us now?" 1t need
scarcely be added that, although the
sorrowing parents mourned the absence
of both their children on their sad voy-
age, the next packet brought them out
looking we'll and happy; nor is there
any need of describing the Joy of the
meeting, nor the wild and touching ex-
pressions of affection with which they
welcomed the little girl who had ac-
complished her trust, though she almost
lost her life.
LOCAL NOTICES.
John B. Pewters, retail liquor dealer,
10 East 7th St.. fnoar cor, Wabasha),